Babette Schwartz
This drag queen-owned establishment sells fun gifts, books, cards, t-shirts etc. with a quickly changing stock.
Fifth Avenue Books
3838 5th ave between university and robinson, +1 619 291-4660, (http://www.fifthavenueboo...). the largest bookstore in hillcrest, with lots of used and out-of-print titles.
Footnote Books
Premium out of print books and ephemera.
Most of the museums in Balboa Park contain gift shops specializing in merchandise and items specific to that museum, like art shops at the art museums, science toys at the science museums, zoo stuff at the zoo, etc. There's also a general gift shop at the Balboa Park Visitors Center in the House of Hospitality, where you can purchase postcards and the like. In addition, the Spanish Village Art Center contains a number of art studios where you can purchase arts and crafts directly from the artist.
The Thursday Club, in Balboa Park, is one of the largest antique markets in the city and is held annually, usually sometime in March. Crowds start lining up for this event early in the morning, and bargains galore can always be found at this very well attended event.
Blue Stocking Books & Bindery
3817 5th ave between university and robinson, +1 619 296-1424, (http://www.bluestockingbo...). f-m 11am-9:30pm, tu th 11am-7pm. an excellent independent bookstore specializing in rare and out-of-print books.
EW Gallery
Japanese and chinese antiques, including minge folk art, tansu chests, ivory netsuke, and woodblock prints. with over 3,000 items always available, and many of them imported directly from japan, there are many one of a kind items. this place must be visited if you are a serious collector of oriental antiques.